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DBS introduces new virtual bank recruiter named Jim

DBS has introduced a new virtual bank recruiter to help its recruiters hire wealth planning managers more efficiently.

According to a press statement, Jim, an acronym for “Jobs Intelligence Maestro”, is the brainchild of Singapore start-up Impress.AI and DBS’ talent acquisition team. Powered by artificial intelligence, Jim will learn to make better assessments in screening candidates over time. It was also custom-built to meet the needs of DBS’ recruiters and applicants.

In the statement, the bank also revealed it is looking to hire 40% more wealth planning managers this year to support its rapidly growing wealth management business – something Jim will be helping to do.

Jim will also be made available for other high-volume roles such as the Management Associate and Graduate Associate programmes which typically see more than 7,000 candidates vying for 20 roles.

The virtual recruiter will be rolled out over the next few months in DBS’ core markets – Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, and India – for wealth planning manager roles.

Recruiters tend to spend up to 20% of their time collecting information and responding to emails before meeting with shortlisted candidates. By automating the pre-screening process, Jim will help save some 40 man-hours a month. This enables recruiters to spend more time sourcing for candidates, interviewing applicants, focus on talent advisory or even upskilling themselves. With Jim, candidates also benefit from a faster, more streamlined process, with real-time interaction available 24/7.

James Loo, head of talent acquisition group, group human resources, DBS Bank, said: “Our candidates are often busy during the day, and many of our recruiters end up working long hours to cater to their schedules. A virtual recruiter, such as Jim, would lighten our employees’ workload. Previously manual processes – such as posting screening questions, conducting psychometric assessments and tests – have now been fully automated. This frees up our recruiters’ time so they can take on higher value work.”

Jim has been in pilot since April this year, helping DBS recruiters review resumes, collect applicants’ responses for pre-screening questions, and conduct psychometric profiling assessments on candidates.

So far, close to 100 applicants have provided feedback on their experience, with over 90% providing positive responses.

One such applicant, Brandon Goon said, “DBS’ recruitment process demonstrates that they are serious about investing in technology to attract new talents, and they will have the tools and resources necessary to help me serve my clients better. This is very impressive, and it has made me more excited to join the bank.”